July 1, 2003
Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1726)
Larra Clark
American Library Association, Chicago
(Phone: 312/280-5043)
RELEASE: 03-225
NATION'S LIBRARIES BRING SPACE RESEARCH DOWN TO EARTH
Your local library is making room for Space.
NASA and the American Library Association (ALA) have partnered to
create a one-of-a-kind interactive space research exhibit as part of
a new program called NASA @ your library. The program launched today
at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.
NASA @ your library was created to inspire more participation at
public libraries, raise awareness and encourage interest in science.
The unique exhibit will tour 120 public libraries in five regions
across the nation for the next two years. It will feature special
presentations specifically created to expose people of all ages to
NASA research in the areas of health, home and transportation,
agriculture and environment, and commerce.
"Space research plays an integral role in our daily lives. It affects
many things around us from the foods we eat to everyday household
products we use. This exhibit will educate everyone on the importance
and opportunities in space research," said Mary Kicza, Associate
Administrator for NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research,
Washington.
The five libraries representing each region of the tour that will host
the exhibit in its first month include the Enoch Pratt Free Library,
Baltimore; Johnson County Library, Overland Park, Kan.; Lakewood
Library, Tacoma, Wash.; Northwest Reno Library, Reno, Nev.; and
Spartanburg County Public Libraries, Spartanburg, S.C.
The exhibit is self-contained and complete with six desktop computers
and workspace. The main interactive exhibit includes topics on Space
Shuttle operations, living, working and conducting space research on
board the International Space Station, and information on future
aerospace activities. Apple Computer, Inc. is contributing 36 new
"Way Cool Flat Screen" computers to the exhibit and funding the
movement of the exhibit throughout the U.S.
NASA @ your library is part of The Campaign for America's Libraries, a
multi-year public education effort sponsored by the ALA to speak
loudly and clearly about the value of libraries and librarians in the
21st century. The campaign is designed to showcase the unique and
vital role played by public, school, academic and special libraries
across the United States. NASA is the latest founding partner in the
campaign. Invitations to participate in the program were sent to over
16,000 public libraries throughout the U.S. Libraries are being
selected to participate in the tour based on criteria established by
the ALA.
"The NASA @ your library program is a wonderful example of how
libraries have become modern community centers for information,
education and entertainment," added ALA President Carla Hayden,
executive director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. "With this new
partnership, ALA is also able to further spread the message that
libraries play a critical role in making information accessible to
all people, regardless of age, race, income or background."
As part of the program, libraries will be given a stipend to enhance
their book/electronic resources and collections, and will host
various social and academic activities of their choice. ALA, to
engender interest in International Space Station research through
reading lists, information on careers, and other space-related
activities, also has created a new web site. You can find the
information on the Internet at:
www.ala.org/nasa
www.ala.org/alsc
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary
Additional information about NASA can be found on the Internet at:
http://www.nasa.gov
-end-